Wheel for vehicles.



THOMAS J. FURPHY, JR, OF PHILADELQHI A, PENNSYLVANIA.

WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Application filed September 23, 1907. Serial No. 394,046.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. FURPHY, Jr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Germantown, in the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful I1nprovements in Wheels for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a spring controlled cushioning wheel for motor and other vehicles; and in such connection it relates particularly to the constructive arrangement thereof for defined purposes, among others, as hereinafter more fully described.

The natureand scope of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken'in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which I Figure 1 is a view partly in .elevation and partly in section of a portion of a wheel embodying main features of my invention as to one application of such features to a wheel. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, en-

larged, of the wheel of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar View of a modified form of the wheel, showing as to essential features of my said invention the application of the same to a motor vehicle wheel. Fig. '1': is a similar viewof a still further modified form of the said features of my invention in application to an ordinary wooden spoke wheel for different types of vehicles; and Fig. 5 is a view showing, perspectively, the connection of one of the coiled springs of the series with a supporting flexible or resilient ring there for;

Referring to the drawings 6, is the inner section of the tire of the wheel provided with respectively, inner and outer flanges 8 and 7, of differing widths in cross-section and preferably formed integral with the base 9 thereof. The so shaped inner section 6, forms a large central chamber 10, and two outer and smaller chambers 11 and 12, which latter are adapted to receive and guide two rings or flanges 13 and,.14=, of substantially L-shape in cross-section. The rings/13 and 14, are connected with each other at heir outer flanged portions 15, by .a metal tire or ring 16,.supporting a cushioning solid tire 1.7. These rings ,13 and 14, in conjunction with the solid-tire 16 and yielding or cashioning tire 17, form the outer seotion18 of the tire of the wheel, having free movement within the inner section 6, and closing the central chamber 10 thereof.

In the central chamber 10, are arranged a series of concentrically arranged yielding rings 19, forming between each other and in' conjunction with the base 9, of the inner section 6, and the solid tire 17 of the outer section 18, annular chambers 20,- eachof these chambers is adapted to receive a sc ries of radially arranged coiled springs 21. These springs are short in length but wide in width and offer appreciable resistance against compression. The resnnce offered. by these series of springs in their superposed relationship is far greater than could possibly be obtained through the'use of a single spring of the length of the combined series of coiled springs 21, in their respective superposed relationship in the wheel. The rings 19, being yielding offer no resistance to the free movement of the springs 21 and hence assist the same in the support of the outer section 18', within the inner section 6. In order to hold the series of coiled springs 21, in proper position, the end windings 22 over the windings and through openings 21,

in the rings 19, securely connect them with the same, by twisting the wires 23 together at their ends as shown inFig. 5. The series of coiled springs 21, in conjunction with the springs 26 and 27, are adapted to yieldingly support a load bearing on the outer section of the tire of the wheel by the inner section thereof. In order to prevent as far as possible, side movement of the-outer section in the inner section, between the flanges 25 of the rings 13 and 14, and the base 9, of the inner section 6, and within the chambers 11 and 12 thereof, are arranged a, series of coiled springs 26 and 27 These springs are held in proper operative position in the chambers 11 and 12, by studs 28, respectively connected to the base 9, of the inner section 6, and to the flanges 25 0f the rings 13 and l t. 7

The series of springs 26 and 27, are likewise radially'arranged in the chambers 11 and 12, of the inner section 6,'and to render the same ca able of serving the purpose :of

resisting si e movement of the outer section 18, in the inner section 6, are made stronger than the series of coiled springs 21. To ide the'outer section 18, in the inner section 6, the flanges or rings 13 and 1' of the outer section are arranged so as to preferably slide on the flanges 8, of theinner section 6. The sections 6 and 18, are mov ably connected with each other by means of rings 30 and 31, which are angular incrosssection and which by means of threaded bolts 32 ,;are m'ovably secured to the flanges 7 ,of the-inner section 6, while the angular portions 34 thereof bear against the rings 13 and 14, of the outer section 18, and ,thus assist in the holding of'the same in proper operative position in the -inner section 6'. By removing the rings 30 and 31, from the inner section 6, and by also removing one of the flanges or rings 13 or 14, of the outer section 18, the sections can be readily separated from each other, for replacing broken springs 21, 26 or 27 or rings 19, or for any other desired purpose.

In order to prevent entrance of fluid or extraneous matter into the respective sections,-between the flange 34, of the connecting rings 30 and 31, and flanges 15 of the flanges or rings 13 and 14, of the outer section 18, are arranged flexible waterproof strips or bands35 and 36. These strips or hands are preferably connected with the said parts, by means of metal rings 37, and screwbolts 38. The tire is so constructed 'and .having applied. to the telly of wooden wheels by.

a flat straight base 9, may be readily slipping the same sidewise on the telly and connecting the .tire therewith by bolts 40, passing through the base 9, of the inner sec- "tion. 6 thereof and into a boss 41, preferably formed integral with the base as shown in Fig. 2. "When the tire isto be applied to a motor vehicle wheel, the base 9, of the inner section 6, is curved as at 42, in'Fig. 3, to permit of theintroduction of the tire into a depression formed in the telly of such a wheel. To adapt'such a tire for use to the ordinary spoke-vehicle wheel the base 9, of the inner section 6, is-provided with sockets $3, t2 receive the spokes 44, as shown in It will be observed that a wheel constructed and arranged as hereinafter explained is not only very strong and inexpensive in constructionand especially adapted for use for motog vehicles, but is also readily separable fOEl-flPfilIing or the replacing of parts there- Moreoventhe provision of a broad flat tread for the wheel reduces possibility of skiddic'pg org sliding in use on wet or damp groun Having thus described the nature and ob-;

'jects of my invention whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1.. A wheel of the character described, comprising an outer section and an inner section forming chambers, superposed short coiled springs arranged in series and mounted in the central chamber, rings interposedbetween said springs, long coiled springs arranged' 'rin-flthe' outer chambers. of said sections, said ringsjand series of springs adapttread section inoperative position. I '2. A- wheel :of the character described,

section forming: chambers, superposed short ed in the central chamber, rings interposed between said. springs,- long coiled sprm s arcomprising'a'n inner section having flanges tread portion and rings connected therew th and providedwith flanges adapted to slide in the outer of said chambers, springs arranged in the outer chambers andengaging the flanges of the rings of said outer sect on, a series of concentrically arranged yleldmg inner section and forming annular chambers, a series of springs arranged in each of said annular chambers between said rings and said outer and inner sections, said rings and series of springs arranged so as to support and maintain said outer section In 0perative position within said inner section.

an inner section having flanges, an outer section having a tread portion and rings having flanges said rings abutting agalnst flanges ot and outer sections forming chambers, springs arranged in said chambers and adapted to bear respectively against the tread portlon and flanges of the rings of sa1d outer secsaid inner section abutting against said outer section and adapted to connect the respective sections with each other.

an inner section having flanges, an outer section havlng a tread ,POI'lZlOIl and rings having flanges, said rings abutting against said inner andouter sections forming chambers, springs arranged in said chambers and adapted to bear respectively against the tread portion and flanges of the rings of the'respective sections with eachother, and flexible -strips respectively secured to said 3. A wheel of the character described,

rings located in the central-chamber of said.-

flanges 'Tb'flsaid inner section, the flanges of ed to support and maintain the outer or comprising "an outer section and an inner coiled'spri'n'gs arranged in series and mountf ranged in the outer chambers of sai sc-v I tions, said rings and series ofsprings adapt-. 'ed to support and maintain the outer ortread section in operative position, meansconnected with the inner section abutting forming chambers, an outer section havin a 4. In a wheel of the character described, 4

said inner section, the flanges of said inner tion, and rings removably connected with- 5. ln awheel of the character described,

said outer section, rings'removably connect ed with said inner section abutting aga nst said ,outer section and adapted to connect connecting rings and rings of said outer section and adapted to prevent entrance of ex-' traneous matter or fluid into said sections.

6. In a wheelof the character described,

an inner section having flanges, an outer section having a tread portion and, rings having flanges, said rings abutting against tread portion and flanges of the rings of said outer section, rings removably connected with said inner section and abutting against said outer section and ada ted to connect the respective sections wit 'eacli witnesses.

other, flexible strips respectively secured to said connecting rings and rings of said outer section and adapted to prevent entrance of extraneous matter or fluid into said sections and means respectively con,

nected with said outer and inner sections and with said rings and adapted to hold said springs in operative position in said sections.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my signature In the presence of two subscribing THOS. JHEURPHY, JR.

- Witnesses: A

J. WALTER DOUGLAS, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

